Sleep disorders take a deadly toll

Let’s not mince words here. Sleep disorders kill. And they do so in a variety of insidious ways. But today, I want to talk about one way in particular…by elevating your risk of stroke.

The association is so strong, in fact, that researchers are recommending that anyone who has had either a stroke or mini-stroke be screened for sleep disorders. Because addressing the problem could prove to be life-saving.

They reached this conclusion thanks to a recent review, featured in the journal Neurology this past summer. Their analysis of the most recent literature revealed a chilling trend.

Sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for stroke. But that’s not all. Other sleep disorders — including insomnia, excessive sleep, and even restless leg syndrome (which strikes predominately at night when a person lies down to sleep) — are also associated with both a higher risk of stroke and worse recovery outcomes in both the long- and short-term.

That’s why these researchers urge anyone at risk of or recovering from a stroke to get evaluated for sleep apnea — and treated if they have it. Luckily, safe solutions like a nighttime CPAP mask are available for just that purpose. (Not to mention the role that weight loss can play in reducing — and often even curing — sleep apnea.)

But what I found even more interesting is that they stopped short of suggesting drug treatment for other sleep problems.

If you happened to read the August issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter, then you know that I agree with this conclusion 100 percent.

In that issue, I offered up four terrifying reasons why you should never touch sleeping pills. (If you’re not a subscriber yet, sign up today to gain access to that article… and a whole lot more.)

But unlike these researchers, I do urge you to treat any and all sleep problems you might be experiencing. Not just because they increase your risk of stroke. But because they increase your risk of a whole host of other lethal conditions — from diabetes to cancer — too.